Overview
Hudson is a village of around 1,800 people located 8 miles north of Normal on Interstate 39. Hudson may be small, but it does have its own police, fire station, and churches. The village has grown throughout the past ten years and has a school, library, a few bars, and holds activities a few times a year. The community is growing and the village has done very well in recent years. There has been many different updates to the town, making it feel as if it is newer place and doesn't feel as if it is a rundown rural village. Hudson is also located close to a small town by the name of Towanda.
History
Hudson, Illinois was founded on August 13, 1836 during the real estate boom. Many say that the name comes form people who settled her from Hudson, New York. Other say it is simply names after the Hudson river, but nobody is for certain. Hudson began to boom in the late 1800's as railroads progressed. People found out quickly that the land was very rich and great for farmers. Before long in the early 1900's a new town hall was built. Hudson became very popular and since it is close to Bloomington-Normal, many people settled here.
School
Hudson has its own Elementary School called Hudson Elementary (Home of the Hudson Jaguars). The School teaches classes Kindergarden through Fifth Grade. The school has been in the town for years, but as of recently it has been updated tremendously. The school provides many services for its students and families. For example, they have an after school program called La Petite, where kids can stay after school for a while until their parents are off work and can come pick them up. They always have activities throughout the year for holidays and a few different carnivals at the school. These are inside and outside, with whether permitting. They try to have events outside because in recent years they have spent a lot of money on the playground, updating the equipment and adding a fence near the streets to help with safety. Many clubs are available at the school. Two of the most popular activities held at the school is the Basketball league and the Cub Scouts club.
Food/Convenience
The village has a few places to get quick food and/or a few grocery items. Located in the middle of the village is a Casey's General Store. A lot of the people who live here, get simple quick groceries here. The town is only about 8 miles away from Bloomington Normal, but it is very inconvenient to have to drive into town when groceries are needed. The village also has a couple of other places to get food.
Since Hudson is a rural community, the Casey's general store issues fishing and hunting licenses. They also sell live bait for fisherman. Many folks come here to get small groceries as well, because of the convenience. The General store it has its own sandwich shop that is set up like a Subway, but it's own twist. In addition to the sandwiches Casey's has its own Pizza, which they're famous for.
Bars
There are two bars called The Sitting Bull and The Country Squire. The bars here are very friendly and have burgers, fries, chicken etc. The bars have done very well because they provide good food and good times. These bars attract a lot of people and these people are not only from Hudson. These bars have become very popular for people in the Bloomington Normal area. The two bars are located right next door to each other, to create competition. Each bar also holds darts tournaments that many people compete at and have become very popular.
Green Gables is not located in Hudson, it is a few miles north located at Lake Bloomington. Although, it isn't located in Hudson it is very close and has great food. Many people from Hudson travel here because of how close it is. Green Gables in known throughout Bloomington Normal because of its great Burgers and history. Green Gables is a bar, but doesn't have that feel because it is a great place for the kids. Be sure to check out their cool shirts as well. Green Gables is only half a bar, because the other half is a grocery store. It is not very big, but does have a lot of the everyday groceries one may need.
Library
Hudson has its own Library called The Hudson Public Library. The library is open to anyone they just have to apply for a library card. To obtain a card, you don't have to be a live in Hudson. The library has free wifi and computers for everyone. There are reading clubs for the kids and on sundays there is always someone around who will read to the kids. The library has an abundance of new and/or used books and also has a movie rental. There is a room inside the Library that can be rented out for small meeting and or banquets. This room also holds 4-H meeting on occasion.
Activities
Hudson has a lot to offer the community, providing very many different activities. Hudson has activities every year for families and for kids. There are festivals every year and there are organized sports for the kids. These festivals are open to everyone, but to be in the sports then you have to live in the village or have lived in the village.
Festivals
Every year in the village they hold a few different festivals. There is a fall festival and a spring festival. They are held at one of the parks located near the little downtown area. The downtown area is located where the bars, post office, and water tower are. Many small town bands will play there. The biggest event that takes place is the carnival every year that is hosted by the members of the community. It is an all day event, that has food and drinks. This event is outside with games and fun for the kids and there is a band that plays at night for everyone, as of recently they have done very well pertaining to attendance.
Sports
There is parks and recreation through Hudson for the kids. The leagues provided by Hudson include: the Baseball league, Basketball league and Soccer league. The baseball league has been very popular, one of the main reasons for this is because there were two fields and one is very new. It is a young kids league, that is made up of different teams, but all the teams are Hudson villagers. The complex is very new, and has a concession stand, which is all located at a park for the kids. Located in this complex is also the soccer field, but the Basketball league is held at the school.
Businesses
Hudson has grown throughout the years and it has attracted a few small town rural businesses. The most famous business in the village is a high end furniture store called Whitacre's Furniture. They specialize in wood furniture that is very high quality and they will even do custom furniture. Hudson Has a grain Co-op called Hudson Grain Company. This is a grain elavator that works with local farmers. There is also a local bank called Illini Bank. Another small business located in the area is called Childers Door service. The name speaks for itself, they specialize in door repair. Finally there is a business called Alexander Lumber. Alexander Lumber sells a variety of lumber and contraction equipment, but mainly sell to construction companies.
